That is indeed sad news about Milt Cottee.
He was the driver in Washington DC for Australia's acquisition of the F-111C, and the then OC 82 Wing (the late 'Spud' Spurgeon) always spoke highly of him.
Last time I saw him was when he queued up behind me in a market greengrocers (I was in RAAF uniform), and he said casually: "You know, I used to be in the air force".
I replied: "Yes, you are Milt Cottee, Mr F-111."
He liked that.
RIP